Imperial War Museum unveils tour highlighting LGBTQ+ stories in wartime

Imperial War Museum (IWM) has launched a digital tour, Refracted Histories: Exploring LGBTQ+ Stories in Times of Conflict, which shines a spotlight on the experiences of LGBTQ+ people during periods of war.

Created to mark the 25th anniversary of the lifting of the ban on gay people serving in the UK Armed Forces, this trail celebrates all those from the community who "stood strong in the face of adversity and honours the remarkable contributions they made from the First World War to the present day".   

The interactive trail, accessible via QR codes across IWM’s galleries in London and Manchester, features artefacts and personal accounts that reveal how gender and sexuality intersected with military life. Among the highlights are a mosquito-net dress worn by Gunner Charles Woodhams during drag performances in a POW camp, and the story of Enid Mary Barraud, a Land Army worker who preferred to be known as “John”.

The tour also explores the link between wartime reconstructive surgery and the evolution of transgender healthcare, offering a nuanced perspective on how conflict shaped medical and social progress.

IWM says the initiative aims to ensure that LGBTQ+ stories - often overlooked in traditional narratives - are recognised as integral to Britain’s wartime history. A spokesperson commented: “We are proud to tell some of the lesser-known stories of lives affected by war and conflict.”

The free tour is available online and in-gallery, offering visitors a chance to engage with diverse stories of courage, resilience, and identity.